“Paaartida?”

The national horseracing workers’ union has declared an indefinite strike in response to what they consider is the sad state of their working conditions.

All activities in the three major Venezuelan racetracks (La Rinconada in Caracas, Santa Rita in Zulia and Valencia) have stopped until further notice.

The final straw came last Sunday at La Rinconada when the starting gates failed, forcing the final two races to be suspended. Sunahip (the state entity which runs all horse racing) called for a criminal investigation of the gates’ “unscrupulous manipulation”.

The deplorable conditions at La Rinconada, used as an improvised shelter for displaced families since more than two years, have brought many complains from jockeys, trainers and others who work there. But that isn’t the only reason why they’re on strike.